Obituaries, week of May 22: Ashley, Furey, Covington, Beauchamp

Michael was born July 10, 1937 in Boone, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph H. Ashley and Estelle Roberts Ashley, and brothers James Ashley of Montross and Kenneth Ashley of Orange.

Survivors include his sister Linda (M.B.) Neal of Clemmons, NC, brother, Col. C.B. (Beverly) Ashley of Charlotte, NC, sister-in-law Margaret Ashley of Mechanicsville, VA, daughter Cindy (Charlie) George of Woodstock, daughter Roberta (Rick) Dysart of Maurertown, son, Michael H. (Heather) Ashley Jr. of Woodstock and daughter, Michel (Teddy) Wakeman of Fairbanks, Alaska. He is also survived by six grand children and three great grand children.

Michael attended grade and high school in Montross and continued his education in the Virginia College System. He was an Army veteran having served as military police for two years in Germany.

He was retired from the Virginia State Police where he served as a Special Agent. During his service, he was active in safety and was awarded the Division Safety Award for two years running. He was chosen to participate in a special safety project at sea in conjunction with the US Navy. During this project, he would fly to a Navy ship and present safety seminars to the sailors on the way back to Norfolk.

He contributed to his community by serving as a PTA President of the Woodstock Middle School for two years and organized Boy Scout Troop 88 where he served as the first Scout Master. In later years he served as Chairman of the Electoral Board.

Michael belonged to the Virginia State Police Association, Virginia State Police Alumni, National Troopers Association, Democratic Party, the Woodstock Presbyterian Church, the Masonic Lodge, the VFW, and was a Kentucky Colonel.

Family night was held Friday, May 17, 2013 from 6-9 at Dellinger’s. A Masonic service was at 6. A full Virginia State Police Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. at the Woodstock Presbyterian Church on May 18, 2013. Burial followed at Sunset View Memorial Gardens in Woodstock, VA

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice or Woodstock Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

MSG Furey was a highly decorated World War II and Korean War hero receiving two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars with Valor, seven European theater campaign ribbons and many more. The Republic of France awarded him their highest honor, The Legion d’Honour. He retired from the Army with the 3rd Infantry, Ft. Myer, The Old Guard, and began a full career as a Federal Police Officer with the U.S. Capitol Police Force.

A Mass will be offered on Friday, May 24 at 8:45 am at the Memorial Chapel, Ft. Myer. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in the form of cards should be sent to Virginia Furey c/o Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203.

He was a true Irish storyteller and loved to make people laugh. He served his Nation proudly and kept his family as his number one priority.

Elizabeth Josephine Venable Covington

Elizabeth Josephine Venable Covington, 82, departed this life May 1, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charles Jett Covington II and her son, Vernon V. Covington. She is survived by two daughters, Jackie Amerson of Chesapeake, Martha Hopson and her husband, Dan, of Douglas, Alaska; son, Charles Covington III and his wife, Robin, of Richmond; Debbie Covington, widow of Vernon, of Cape Carteret, NC; nine grandchildren and a multitude of family and friends. Elizabeth was a long time resident of Kilmarnock and Reedville and a long time member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Fleeton. She was a past member of over 25 years with the Colonial Dames of the 17th Century, Daughters of the Confederacy and Daughters of the American Revolution. A memorial service will be held May 25, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Fleeton, at 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Fleeton, 3020 Fleeton Rd, Reedville, VA 22539 or The Reedville Fisherman’s Museum, 504 Main St., Reedville, VA 22539.

Anna Burton Rest Beauchamp

Anna Burton Rest Beauchamp, 78, of Montross, passed away May 13, 2013. She was retired as a production operator at Levi Strauss Co. and a member of Yeocomico Episcopal Church. She was a member of Levi Strauss Retirement Association, CIT- Community Involvement Team and coordinated luncheons once a month for Levi retirees. She was very active in arts and crafts and loved to travel.

Anna Burton was the widow of Alfred Rest and Carroll Beauchamp. She is survived by a son, Syd Rest of Coles Point; daughter, Deborah Lape of Kinsale; brother, Hurvie E. Davis, Jr. of Marana, AZ and three grandchildren, Cody Rest, Joshua Lape and Christopher Lape.